Meaning & use
labelling
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“labelling” is a form of “label”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
noununcountableBritish
The act of putting a label on something, or the labels themselves.
Grammar: Uncountable; used for the process or the labels as a group. For a single item, use label: put a label on it.
Patterns
- labelling of something
- clear labelling
- food labelling
The labelling of the bottles must be done by hand.
Clear labelling helps customers know what they are buying.
New rules on food labelling were introduced last year.
verbtransitiveBritish
Present participle of label: putting a label on something or describing someone in a particular way.
Grammar: Used in progressive tenses: She is labelling the boxes. British spelling with double l.
Patterns
- be labelling something
- labelling someone as something
She is labelling the jars of jam right now.
They are labelling him as a troublemaker, which is unfair.
We were labelling the samples when the power went out.
Common combinations
- food labelling
- Food labelling rules vary from country to country.
- clear labelling
- Clear labelling on medicines can prevent accidents.
- product labelling
- The company improved its product labelling to meet safety standards.
- labelling machine
- The factory uses a labelling machine to speed up the process.
Synonyms and how they differ
- tagging
- Tagging often means attaching a small tag, especially for identification; labelling is broader and includes printed information.
- marking
- Marking can mean making a visible mark rather than attaching a label; labelling usually involves a separate label.
Word family
Commonly confused: labelling or labeling?
labelling vs labeling
Labeling is the American spelling with one l. Labelling (double l) is British. Both are correct in their own variety.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence in British English.
Choose one answer.
In British English, 'labelling' has a double l. Option B is American spelling. Option C has an extra b. Option D uses a plural form that does not fit the uncountable use here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “labelling”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.